When
the JCC asked me if I would like to be involved in their Blog this week I
thought they must be mad! With twelve days to go till Mitzvah Day 08 I hardly
have time to breath never mind to Blog. Nonetheless it might be very
interesting to share what it is like setting up a day of action in the Jewish
Community so here I go.
For
anyone who doesn’t know, Mitzvah Day is a day (November 16th ) when
we all go out and do something hands on for someone else – and, radically,
with no fund raising projects allowed. I first found it when my
family lived in Los Angeles andand where it has now morphed into Big Sunday and claims up
to 50,000 participants. On my return to the UK in 2003 it seemed the perfect event to bring to the Jews of the UK, which I did
with founding partner, the JCC for London. We debated using a less Jewish
name but decided that Mitzvah Day is proudly, determinedly and delightfully
Jewish and as such we should shout about it. Our Judaism is what makes us
different and this year we are proud to be sharing this Jewish led event with
Christians, Sikhs and Muslims.
It's
only one day but it takes a mountain of preparation. Each partner
(organisation running projects) has its own needs. Some, like Nottingham's multi-faith mitzvah are totally mixed faith. Others like the UJIA Mitzvah
Day is a move into corporate volunteering. There are school Mitzvah Days such as Immanuel College andyouth movements all round the country are
joining in such as RSY, Habonim Dror and Bnei Akiva. Today
we were sorting out a fantastic project in Haringey for a park where we will be building bat and bird boxes as part of a
conservation project. It really does mean we will see Jews getting their
sleeves rolled up and stuck in.
I had a great moment today when I learned that the second last Jewish Care home now has visitors scheduled for Mitzvah Day. Only one more to cover. If you know of anyone in Brighton who wants to get involved….?
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